31. Traders braving recession – so far

Town centre traders are cautiously optimistic about riding out the credit crunch, but say the run-up to Christmas will be a crucial time.

32. Tempers flare as town guide is discussed

Calls for positive thinking were made during a heated debate over a plan which will act as a blueprint for a new  Wokingham town centre.

33. Taxi drivers: ‘you can keep your tips’

Taxi drivers who risk regular threats and attacks say they need support, not advice, to help them handle problem customers.

34. Flood defence will rest on size of bill

A Flood-prone road will receive a chunk of cash to improve flood defences for homes, unless the work proves to be too expensive.

35. Larking lads get locked into bother

Boyish larks backfired spectacularly after two youngsters in Arborfield somehow managed to handcuff themselves together, lose the key and have to be cut free.

36. School in shock after death of popular Stewart

Staff and pupils at an Earley  school were in shock this week after learning of the death of 13-year-old pupil Stewart McEwan on a school trip in Wales.

37. ‘Action now to stop the decline’ – traders’ call at vision meeting

“Short-term goals and action now” is the message from Wokingham’s traders to bring belief back in to the town.

38. Victory for local newspapers as BBC plans are scrapped

39. Giving Tree launch day

The festive season will begin in earnest this weekend with the launch of The Wokingham Times’ Giving Tree appeal.

40. Suspect war ammo discovered in Earley

A cemetery was sealed off and evacuated yesterday after an unidentifiable object - possibly Second World War ammunition - was dug up by workmen.